Pakistan has temporarily closed all its border crossings with neighboring Iran due to rising regional tensions sparked by aggression between Israel and Iran, provincial authorities confirmed on Monday.
Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani, a senior official in Balochistan stated that border facilities in all five districts — Chaghi, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech, and Gwadar — have been shut down for unspecified time.
However, he clarified that the Iran border crossings suspension does not apply to trade activities. “There is no ban on trade, and Pakistani nationals returning from Iran are still allowed to cross,” he added.
He noted that roughly 200 Pakistani students were expected to return to the country through the border on Monday.
The decision to block these crossings follows Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to evacuate its citizens amid rising tensions. On Sunday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that 450 Pakistani pilgrims had been safely evacuated from Iran, with additional evacuations underway from both Iran and Iraq — countries home to some of the holiest Shia Islamic sites.
Pakistan shares a border of over 900 kilometers (approximately 560 miles) with Iran. Current bilateral trade between the two nations is valued at around $3 billion, with ambitions to increase it to $10 billion in the near future.
On Friday, Pakistan expressed full solidarity with Iran following Israeli airstrikes, emphasizing its diplomatic and moral support. Pakistan, which does not recognize Israel — similar to Iran — stated that it “stands in solidarity with the Government and the people of Iran.”
While speculation has emerged over possible Pakistani support for Iran if the conflict intensifies. However, Islamabad has so far reaffirmed its position of offering only moral and diplomatic backing for Iran avoiding any physical involvement in the escalation.
